In front of that sinner of a husband,she rattled off...only those wordsthat her pack of vile-tongued girlfriendstaught heras fast as she could,and after,began to behaveat the Love-god's beck and call.It's indescribable,this natural, charmingpath of love,paved with the gemsof inexperience.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

Courtin's manual of etiquette of 1671 explains: "These little people are allowed to amuse themselves without anyone troubling to s...ee whether they are behaving well or badly; they are permitted to do as they please; nothing is forbidden them; they laugh when they ought to cry, they cry when they ought to laugh, they talk when they ought to be silent, and they are mute when good manners require them to replay. It is cruelty to allow them to go on living in this way. The parents say that when they are bigger they will be corrected. Would it not be better to deal with them in such a way that there was nothing to correct?"LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

To be told that our child's behavior is "normal" offers little solace when our feelings are badly hurt, or when we worry that his ...actions are harmful at the moment or may be injurious to his future. It does not help me as a parent nor lessen my worries when my child drives carelessly, even dangerously, if I am told that this is "normal" behavior for children of his age. I'd much prefer him to deviate from the norm and be a cautious driver!LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »